Arlington Heights

                                                                                                            40^th Regt. N.Y.V.

 

                                                                                                                        Sept.

My Dear Sister Alice and the rest of the good folks at “Old Maids Hall” I hope these few lines will find you well and enjoying yourselves finely, for they leave me in the best of health and in tolerable good spirrits. I have been wondering for a few days past why I have not heard from you. I wrote you a letter whist we were upon the steamer Merrimac but have not heard wheather you received it or not. I received a letter from James a few days since and one from father. And also one from Lizzie. We moved Camp from Hunters Creek Spring Hill on the 10^th inst and fixed our quarters at the Fairfax Seminary, but yesterday orders came for us to pull up steaks and leave there we are now upon Arlington Heights / not far from the Long Bridge. The City of Washington is in full view, together with many of the Works around Washington. Altogether it is a grand prospect There is not a nole or Hill in sight but may be seen a strong fort upon it. I dont believe the “Rebs” will take Washington by this way at any rate. If they think they can why just let them send old Jackson with his squad and make a dash, and if we dont dash him and his squad to atoms then I am much Mistaken I presume you by this time have heard that the eighty seventh Regt. was no more. By an order from the War dept. we were disbanded and the officers were mustered out of the service, but the Men were transfered to the 40^th Regt. N.Y.V. Of course this movement dont suit all hands exactly. But then if we dont like it why all that we have to do is just to “lump” it, such are the fortunes of Military life. Success is about as uncertain as Life. Those cakes you sent have not come to hand as yet. I expect they will be in prime order when they do come All that will be necessary is a little more seasoning and rebaking and then they will be all right. /

 

Dear Alice, How are you getting along in your Business and how do you like it? How does your Sunday school thrive especially your class? How is your pastor liked, is he as popular as ever, How did you enjoy your visit home? And lots of other things I want you to write me. Wilson is quite well as myself. He still holds his position as Color Corporal. We now have to Colors to carry the one belonging to the Mozart regiment and the Eighty seventh I expect the Latter however will be dropped as they will only allow it to be carried just to please us fellows, and it will become after a while an old story. Libbie is very silent in regard to the Grants I shall have to ask you what the difficulty is. I hope Garret will not enlist in the Army he has a family to look after It is time enough when he is drafted the political scheming in the Army is quite sufficient to make anyone sick of it. Instead of putting all their efforts / together to put down this rebellion, there is too much buy and sell in the officers. I believe if we should shoot some of our officers and then shoot the enemy I think we would be better off.

 

James has enough to attend to, he had better stay where he is. And Oliver should not leave father all alone. The fact is I think that our family has done its share. If every family would do as well the rebelion would soon go down.

 

I send enclosed a picture I procured whilst in Alexandria day before yesterday. I am sorry I could not have Wilson with it, but it was an impossibility to get a pass for both of us. I had to wait for several days before I could get it.

 

Give My Love to Kate, and the rest of the folks in [?] St not forgetting yourself

 

Remember us to Garret and Jane and all inquiring friends.

 

                                                                        Your Affectionate Brother

                                                                                    Jonathan Sproul

                                                                                    Company C 40^th Regt. N.Y.

                                                                                    Birneys Division

                                                                                                Hookers Corps

                                                                                    Washington D.C.

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